<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.01.16.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="16" heading="Instructions for Handling Medical Records Upon Discontinuation of Medical Practice.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>At the time a health care provider discontinues medical practice, the health care provider shall immediately secure the medical records until one of the following options are taken:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Medical records may be transferred to a health care provider who will be assuming the medical practice;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Medical records may be given to the patient;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>At the patient's direction, the medical record may be transferred to a new health care provider; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Medical records may be destroyed in accordance with §B of this regulation, Regulation .07 of this chapter, or both.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>On the death, retirement, surrender of license, or discontinuance of the practice or business of a health care provider, the administrator of the estate or a designee, who:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Agrees to provide for the maintenance of the medical records of the practice; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>States in writing to the appropriate health occupations board within a reasonable time that the medical records will be maintained in compliance with this chapter, shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Publish a notice in a daily newspaper that is circulated locally for 2 consecutive weeks:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Stating that the medical records will be destroyed or transferred; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Designating a location, date, and time when the medical records may be retrieved by the person in interest; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Forward the notice required in §B(2)(a), of this regulation, to the patient in the following manner:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>In the case of an adult, the notification shall be sent by first-class mail to the last known address of the patient; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>In the case of a minor, notification shall be sent by first-class mail to the last known address of the parent or guardian, or if the medical care documented was provided under Health-General Article, §20-102(c) or 20-103(c), Annotated Code of Maryland, notification shall be given to the minor, by certified mail, addressee only.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>